Is It Legal To Play Online Poker

Poker advocates will argue until the sun goes down that the game is more based on skill than gambling. There might be some truth to that, but poker is still classified as such and therefore under the laws in place in the United States. Online poker has never been more popular though and it's for a variety of reasons.

But first the important question to answer is whether or not online poker is legal - the answer to this question might surprise you.

Online poker in the United States is not a simplistic issue. In fact it's rather complex with stark opinions on both sides of the issue. But how does the law see it at this point?

Online poker can be legally played in a couple of states where states regulate those sites. At the same time, offshore sites provide legal outlets as well just like they have for several years. Players are able to visit offshore poker site and legally bet real money. Playing online poker in the United States is expanding again and with legal backing behind pushed through in states, it's becoming more legitimate as well.

The issue with state-regulated online poker and a new trend that has already brought live poker websites to states like Nevada which currently has two online poker sites (and more coming) that are regulated by the state to play for real money is something to be talked about as well. These sites are 100 percent legal for residents and visitors within Nevada. As for other states going into this industry, the online poker project featured in New Jersey is part of a larger initiative for online casinos but will bring completely legal + safe online poker to visitors and those who live in the state which meet whatever requirements as set forth at the time online poker is regulated.

Where Is It Legal To Play Poker Online?

There are several outlets through which online poker can be conducted legally by players in the United States. In fact, this is now true for some websites based in the United States, as well as plenty offshore sites.

For the last several years offshore poker sites were where American players had to go to play online poker. This was because of the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act. This Act banned online poker sites and other forms of betting sites in the U.S. through the operational end of the business. players still had the chance to legally wager at sites abroad. The access of the sites offshore through the Internet is very easy, with all 50 states able to take advantage of them. When choosing to bet at an offshore site it is legal.

We mentioned the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act as legislation that covers online poker. This continues to be in effect, disallowing sites like online poker from operating through means of banning the monetary transactions made for a bet.

States like Nevada and New Jersey have passed state laws that will allow such sites to operate as voted on by the residents within those states and signed into law by the respective legislative branches. The other states in the U.S. have deferred to the UIGEA as the federal poker law now that the Wire Act does not apply. But with offshore sites still able to be played, even users outside of Nevada and New Jersey have the option to bet poker online legally.

Future Of Legal Online Poker In The U.S.

With the expansion of legal online poker in the United States the future looks bright for those who are on the pro side of the issue. Nevada continues to expand their online poker operation, as does New Jersey. This can pave the way for other states totaled up the plan to implement forms of legal Internet poker. In fact, Nevada and New Jersey are trying to set up a plan for inter-state workings to allow for residents of other states to access the sites legally. This would of course have to come after a state would pass a law allowing it.